Overview

In this post we describe some of the plants we saw on the REI Machu Picchu 10-Day Lodge Trek over Christmas 2013 (December 21 – 29). Keep in mind that we were observing plants at the start of the rainy season. And, in general, the plants we describe here are ones that could easily be seen along roads, trails, and in gardens.

A word about photos. Most of the photos we include images of the plant where we saw it. In a few cases, we didn’t see the plant, but experienced it in other ways, like through its fruits or some product made from it. Even though indirect, it is still an important way of experiencing some of the important plants of this region, and so we include them here as well.

A word about spelling. We slip back and forth between local and hispanicized names for some place names – it’s a hard habit to break.

Salkantay (with a “k”) –> Salcantay (with a “c” – hispanicized)

Saksaywaman –> Sacsayhuaman (hispanicized)

Llaqtapata (with a “q”) –> Llactapata (with a “c”)

Format for picture descriptions:

Scientific Name: The scientific name for the plant. In some cases we are referring to a synonym, but with the Tropicos link you can find the accepted name. In identifications where we are uncertain of the species, we use a question mark (?).

Common Name: The local name is included if someone mentioned it to us, or we learned about the plant using its common name.

Where: The approximate location where we saw the plant. Specific GPS coordinates are shown, if available, in photo captions. GPS coordinates are given as [13.1631 S, 72.5456 W], which is, for example, the GPS coordinates for Machu Picchu in degrees. However, upon reviewing where we thought the pictures were and the coordinates recorded, they are not 100% accurate. (We were using a Canon GPS receiver.)

Notes: Information about where we saw the plant, the environment, frequency, or other thoughts about the plant.

Plant List

Dec 19-20, Cusco

Scientific Name: Eucalyptus globulusCommon Name: EucaliptoFamily: MyrtaceaeWhere: All around Cusco, in the hills.Notes: We were surprised at how much this tree dominates the landscape in and around Cusco. On subsequent days we would continue to see Eucalyptus.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Pouteria lucumaCommon Name: Lucuma Family: Sapotaceae Where: At El Mercado breakfast. Lucuma blended with milk and vanilla into a milkshake.Notes: Never saw this fruit before. Had a milkshake of lucuma, milk, and a touch of vanilla. Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Lucuma Fruit at El Mercado Hotel in Cusco

Scientific Name: Minthostachys mollisCommon Name: Muña Family: Lamiaceae Where: In Museo de Plantas Sagradas, Magicas y Medicinales. It was also pointed out to us at Q’engo. Notes: We drank a lot of muña tea. Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Salvia oppositifloraCommon Name: Ñucchu Family: Lamiaceae Where: In Museo de Plantas Sagradas, Magicas y Medicinales, Saqsayhuaman, elsewhere. Notes: These flowers are thrown at Christ figures when paraded through the streets. The dark color of the Christ in Capilla del Señor de los Temblores is said to be due to the repeated contact of flowers on the wood. Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Cantua buxifoliaCommon Name: Cantuta Family: Polemoniaceae Where: We first saw it in Cusco, Plaza de Armas and in later days on the Salcantay trail.Notes: National flower of Peru. Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Cantuta - Cantua buxifolia – in Plaza de Armas, Cusco

Scientific Name: Polylepisspp. Common Name: Queuña Family: Rosaceae Where: All of the photos here were in and around Cusco. Notes: Maybe we saw in the wild, but it wasn’t obvious to us. Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Dec 21, Cusco to Salcantay Lodge

Scientific Name: Caesalpinia spinosa (syn. C. tinctoria)Common Name: TaraFamily: FabaceaeWhere: At Limatambo/Tarawasi ruins halfway between Cusco and Mollepata. The archeological site is named for this tree.Notes: The town/ruins are named for this plant. "Wasi" means “house” in Quechua. Used as a source of tannin.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Schinus molleCommon Name: MolleFamily: AnacardiaceaeWhere: Around Mollepata.Notes: The name of the town of Mollepata comes from combining Molle (the name of this tree) and pata (high or elevated ground). As we approached Mollepata, there were indeed many molle trees along the roadside. But heck if we thought to take a decent photo.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Ambrosia peruvianaCommon Name: Marcco, ajenjoFamily: AsteraceaeWhere: In Mollepata, where we bought hats at ASOCIACIÓN DE ARTESANAS LLANKASUNCHIS WIÑARINAPAQ TEJIDO DE PUNTO MOLLEPETA (HANDMADE TEXTILES), we saw this plant again in a garden. Previously we saw it Sacsayhuman.Notes: In Mollepata, a man gave us the common name Marcco. Links: Wikipedia [es], EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Begonia veitchiiCommon Name: BegoniaFamily: BegoniaceaeWhere: We started to see these begonia as we started our way to Salcantay lodge from just outside of Mollepata.Notes: Flower color varies from white to deep pink. At Machu Picchu, we saw a begonia growing on a wall. Our guide indicated that UNESCO does not like plants growing in/on walls.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Begonia veitchii [ 13.4443 S, 72.5489 W – Left Photo]

Scientific Name: Sambucusperuviana syn. Sambucus nigraCommon Name: ElderberryWhere: On way to Salkantay Lodge.Notes: The tree in the picture is on a farm. We did not get close to it.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Berberis spp. References [1] and [2] have it as Berberis lutea.Common Name: CheccheFamily: BerberidaceaeWhere: We started to notice this bush on the hike to Salkantay lodge and then afterward all the way to the Colpa Lodge.Notes: Holly-like leaves make this relatively easy to spot. Blue berries.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Left: Elderberry Tree [13.4334 S, 72.558 W]; Right: Berberis spp.

Scientific Name: Berberis commutataCommon Name: T’ankarFamily: BerberidaceaeWhere: We started to notice this bush on the hike to Salkantay lodge. Then, from the Wayra to the Colpa Lodge, we continued to see it.Notes: Yellow flowers and blue/purple berries at first make you think you are seeing two different plants. Links: Wikipedia [qu], EOL, Tropicos

Dec 22, Humantay Lake Hike

Scientific Name: Brugmansia sanguinea (Datura sanguinea)Common Name: Family: SolanaceaeWhere: Inner court yard of Salkantay lodge. Also, in Museo de Plantas Sagradas, Magicas y Medicinales.Notes: We had never seen the fruits on this plant, and they were bigger than expected.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Urtica dioicaCommon Name: Hortiga (Kisa in Quechua which means itchy.)Family: UrticaceaeWhere: In pastures on way to the Humantay lake.Notes: Silly me, I tried a little between my thumb and index finger, thinking it was mint, and it stung for hours later. The shaman with us tried to warn me.Links: Wikipedia, Wikipedia [qu], EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Castilleja spp.Common Name: PaintbrushFamily: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape)Where: On way to Humantay Lake and then to Salkantay Pass from Salkantay lodge. After passing over into the high jungle, didn’t see it at all.Notes: Shorter and closer to the ground than paintbrush we see in Northwest.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Stipa ichuCommon Name: IchuFamily: PoaceaeWhere: Near Humantay Lake was the first time we saw it. Later, near the Salkantay pass (December 23) and then not as much we descended to Wayra Lodge.Notes: Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Prosopis nigraCommon Name: AlgarrobaFamily: FabaceaeWhere: In the lodge, we had a pisco sour demonstration, and then we talked about a drink made from Algarrobina, a dark syrup made from the this tree.Notes: It’s called black carob tree, but isn’t related.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

A Bottle of Algarrobina at the Salkantay Lodge – Drink This and You Will Get Muscles?

Scientific Name: Dunalia spinosaCommon Name: T'anqar Family: SolanaceaeWhere: On way back down from Humantay Lake.Notes: Purple tubular flowers. From reference [5, p 99]: “The name refers to the resemblance of the spines to the way infants sleep with their arms thrown up over their heads.” Links: Wikipedia [qu], EOL, Tropicos

Dec 23, Salcantay to Wayra Lodge

Scientific Name: Ormosia coccineaCommon Name: Wayruru sach’aFamily: FabaceaeWhere: In the lodges.Notes: It is common to see a bowl of these in lodges; they are decorative and to be carried for good luck. Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Ormosia coccinea Beans – Salcantay Lodge

Scientific Name: HaleniaweddellianaCommon Name: “Deer’s Antlers”Family: GentianaceaeWhere: On the way to Salcantay pass. Notes: Saw this before the pass but not after passing over the pass heading north.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Halenia Near the Salkantay Pass [13.3837 S, 72.5697 W]

Scientific Name: Chersodoma ovopedataCommon Name:Family: AsteraceaeNotes: Common before and after the pass, but only in alpine-like conditions, not lower. Found only in the Andes.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Dec 24, Wayra to Colpa Lodge

Siphonandra elliptica on the Way to Colpa Lodge [13.3143 S, 72.6272 W]

Scientific Name: Salvia dombeyiFamily: LamiaceaeNotes: There were a number of red dangling flowers – easy to confuse with one another at first glance. On second glance, this is unmistakably a Salvia.Where: On way to Colpa Lodge. Lower elevations. Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Salvia dombeyi [13.3171 S, 72.6414 W]

Scientific Name: Niphidium crassifoliumFamily: PolypodiaceaeWhere: On the last little climb up to the Colpa Lodge.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Brachyotum rostratumFamily: MelastmataceaeNotes: Saw it early on without purple part at higher elevations, and later at lower elevations, more mature, with purple. Our guide said that birds pierce the flower to get to the nectar.Where: All of trail to Colpa Lodge.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Brachyotum rostratum – [13.319 S, 72.611 W]

Scientific Name: Bomarea sanguineaCommon Name: BomareaFamily: LiliaceaeNotes: Very plentiful along the trailWhere: On the way from Wayra to Colpa Lodge, closer to Colpa.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Epidendrum syringothyrsusCommon Name:Family: OrchidaceaeWhere: On climb up to Colpa Lodge after we crossed a bridge over ravine. Then, again at Wayna Picchu.Notes: In shadier locations Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: MonninaFamily: PolyganaceaeNotes: Blue little flowers at first that open to expose yellow. First thought it was a vine and then realized it could get bigger: Reference [1] has entries for M. pachycoma and M. salicifolia.Where: On trail to Colpa Lodge, and then subsequent days. The lower we went, the more in bloom it was, and the more you could observe the yellow part of mature flowers.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Leonotis nepetifoliaFamily: LamiaceaeWhere: East side of Santa Teresa ValleyNotes: Side of a dirt road. Can’t help but notice the bright orange of this mint family plant. Later, we learned that some smoke parts of this plant for an effect similar to cannabis. Native to Africa.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Lupinus sp. (Lupinus paniculatus?)Common Name: Tarwi or chocho.Family: FabaceaeWhere: Hike from Wayra to Lucma Lodge.Notes: Like what we see in the northwest, but larger, more a permanent shrub. From reference [3], in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, there are at least 5 species and they are difficult to distinguish. Reference [1] has an entry for Lupinus paniculatus.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Piper elongatumCommon Name: Moco Moco (tree) Family: PiperaceaeWhere: Around Colpa and on the way to Lucma Lodge.Notes: One of our guides said that this plant is used on animal (livestock) wounds inflicted from vampire bats.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Cyphomandra betaceaCommon Name: Tamarillo "Tree Tomato"Family: SolanaceaeWhere: In La Playa gardens. Also, on the way down to the Rio Ahobamba/Notes: Our guide pointed these out and Said his grandmother used to make a jam from these, which was one of the reasons he liked visiting his grandmother.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Left: Tamarillo Near a House on the Trail Down from Llaqtapata to the Ahobamba River; Center: Tamarillo Tree Near La Playa [13.225 S, 72.6262 W], Right: Tasting Tamarillo [13.2206 S, 72.6215 W]

Scientific Name: Tagetes minutaCommon Name: Huactay, wakatay Family: AsteraceaeNotes: The guinea pig we had at Colpa Lodge was stuffed with this as well some of the salsas where made from it. Where: On coffee farm we visited near Lucma Lodge.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Tagetes minuta on a Coffee Farm near Colpa Lodge

Scientific Name: Tillandsia fendleriCommon Name: BromeliadFamily: BromeliaceaeNotes: Saw this in a tree from a distance. See Mark's photos.Where: On way to Lacuma Lodge, before La Playa.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

Scientific Name: Erythrinia sp.Common Name: PisonayFamily: FabaceaeWhere: Machu Picchu, smack in the middle. Get’s in everyone’s photos! Notes: Our guide said that Hiram Bingham arrived at Machu Picchu, it was covered in these trees. There is one large one left in the park for show. Possibly Erythrinia edulis.Links: Wikipedia, EOL, Tropicos

What are those two trees in everyone’s Machu Picchu photos? They are Cecropia and Erythrinia. Left: Image of Machu Picchu showing those two trees. Right: Erythrinia tree at Machu Picchu.